Guide · 4 steps · ~2 min read
Read the meter overnight.
No-use test: if the meter moves, you have flow — hunt it before tips.
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Step 1
Find the dial or digital total
Locate the meter (curb box, basement, utility closet). Note units and the low-flow / leak indicator if present.
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Step 2
Shut off all use
No ice makers, irrigation, or “someone will just rinse a glass.” Utility guidance often says after two hours with no use, the meter should not have changed.
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Step 3
Watch or re-read
If the leak indicator spins or the total climbs, you have continuous flow. Isolate the house shutoff to separate indoor vs service/irrigation.
Full leak checklist -
Step 4
Dye-test toilets next
Add dye or food coloring to the tank; wait 5–10 minutes without flushing. Color in the bowl = flapper/fill path leak.
Silent toilet leak cost
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Educational estimates, not professional advice. Sources linked below.
Related diagnosis guides
Keep one primary page per question. These siblings cover the rest of the high-intent set.
Why is my water bill so high?
National diagnosis: usage vs rates vs sewer vs silent leaks.
Silent toilet leak cost
Dye-test, size the waste, fix the flapper before upgrading.
Sprinkler / irrigation timer spike
Stuck schedules and broken heads before indoor gadgets.
Compare bills month over month
Units per day — not dollars — when the total lies.